Karlyn Pipes
World Record Holder / Intternational Swi
HI, USKarlyn Pipes reached the pinnacle of her swimming career when at the age of 53, she was inducted into the prestigious International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) joining all-time swimming greats such as Janet Evans, Mark Spitz and Johnny Weissmuller.
What makes Karlyn's induction truly incredible is not the long list of records and accomplishments, but the near-death journey she took to get there.
At 15, Karlyn was a National Junior champion, and destined for greatness. That same year, however, was when she slipped into a dark pattern of alcohol abuse. Despite having amazing athletic skills, her life was in a complete free-fall, and she hit rock bottom at age 31. It was then that she found the courage, strength and resilience to turn her life around by returning to the one thing that had created both the pain and pleasure in her life...the water.
Today, Karlyn is one of the most accomplished competitive swimmers in the world. To date, Karlyn has established over 214 FINA Masters World records, 332 U.S. Masters National records, and in 2012 was voted as one of the Top Ten masters swimmers of all-time by Swimming World Magazine. Karlyn has broken FINA Masters world records in all four strokes, the medley and in every distance. Many of her records have stood for nearly 25 years and over five age groups.
In November of 2015, Karlyn released her autobiography, "The Do-Over", which takes the reader on an aquatic journey from the depths of addiction to becoming a world champion. Candid, compelling, and insightful, the book is a beneath-the-surface look at a remarkable, odds-defying comeback, not just in the pool, but more importantly, in life. In 2016, "The Do-Over" was awarded the Buck Dawson Literary Award, presented to the author of an aquatics-related book for which the book's content has had a profound educational or entertaining impact on the aquatic disciplines or population in general.
"Karlyn's journey as described in The Do-Over is a remarkable personal testimony. What she has been able to accomplish is nothing short of amazing. What touched me is her unflinching candor and detailed description of how far she fell and how far she's come back. If you know anyone who deserves a 'do-over,' buy them this book." -- John Naber, Olympic Champion and International Swimming Hall of Fame Inductee
Karlyn Pipes reached the pinnacle of her swimming career when at the age of 53, she was inducted into the prestigious International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) joining all-time swimming greats such as Janet Evans, Mark Spitz and Johnny Weissmuller.
What makes Karlyn's induction truly incredible is not the long list of records and accomplishments, but the near-death journey she took to get there.
At 15, Karlyn was a National Junior champion, and destined for greatness. That same year, however, was when she slipped into a dark pattern of alcohol abuse. Despite having amazing athletic skills, her life was in a complete free-fall, and she hit rock bottom at age 31. It was then that she found the courage, strength and resilience to turn her life around by returning to the one thing that had created both the pain and pleasure in her life...the water.
Today, Karlyn is one of the most accomplished competitive swimmers in the world. To date, Karlyn has established over 214 FINA Masters World records, 332 U.S. Masters National records, and in 2012 was voted as one of the Top Ten masters swimmers of all-time by Swimming World Magazine. Karlyn has broken FINA Masters world records in all four strokes, the medley and in every distance. Many of her records have stood for nearly 25 years and over five age groups.
In November of 2015, Karlyn released her autobiography, "The Do-Over", which takes the reader on an aquatic journey from the depths of addiction to becoming a world champion. Candid, compelling, and insightful, the book is a beneath-the-surface look at a remarkable, odds-defying comeback, not just in the pool, but more importantly, in life. In 2016, "The Do-Over" was awarded the Buck Dawson Literary Award, presented to the author of an aquatics-related book for which the book's content has had a profound educational or entertaining impact on the aquatic disciplines or population in general.
"Karlyn's journey as described in The Do-Over is a remarkable personal testimony. What she has been able to accomplish is nothing short of amazing. What touched me is her unflinching candor and detailed description of how far she fell and how far she's come back. If you know anyone who deserves a 'do-over,' buy them this book." -- John Naber, Olympic Champion and International Swimming Hall of Fame Inductee
The Courage to Change: The Miracle of "the Do-Over"
